East Orange Gun Dog Trainers

David W.

Verified review

I have the trainers with other dogs come in three times a week for two months and didn’t come close to getting the results that I got with Jay after five visits. He was prompt courteous and very patient with not only the dog but with me as well. I have a two-year-old daughter who Jay was absolutely fantastic with and integrated her into the training with the dog. If you care about you dog and want the best training possible cal Jay

Judy C.

Verified review

If you are looking for an exceptional dog trainer than Sal is your guy! He was so kind, very patient and helped guide our dog as well as my family with real positive steps toward learning basic commands and understanding our dogs needs as well Sal loves dogs and his knowledge of all dogs was Phenomenal! I am looking forward to hiring him again! You will not be disappointed with this gentle giant! Sal 's fee is extremely affordable and is the best money I have ever spent. In addition our puppy Rocco loved him .

Cathi O.

Verified review

Our new rescue pup Roxie needed basic obedience training and we discovered Suzanne Rodda while searching the internet for local dog trainers. Suzanne knows her stuff ! We have worked with her over the last month and a half and the difference in Roxie is obvious. Suzanne's approach is to not only train your dog, but to train YOU to work with your dog as well. It's a win win combination. We had a few challenges facing us along the way BUT Suzanne's flexibility and commitment to us made working with her easy and a pleasure. She has our recommendation as an excellent trainer.

Elaine Z.

Dominic G.

Verified review

Ariana was more than what we expected she was so knowelageable and made us all feel so comfortable we made the right choice selecting her services. I would recommend her very highly for anyone’s dog trainer

Jackie B.

Verified review

Andrew has been great to work with. He has excellent attention to detail, and followed up on all my questions and concerns. He uses a very positive approach, which is very effective. Andrew is a very talented dog trainer, and I highly recommend him.

James M.

Verified review

My father is quite possible the worst dog trainer there is. In came Dr. J and within MINUTES had his dog walking obediently at his side! This is a bird dog that is used to ranging out far and wide. Amazing! Not only good results but a FUN experience with a constant patter of enjoyable jokes. Dr. J seems to have a sixth sense about animals. Highly recommended!

Christina B.

Verified review

Anna was great from the start—immediately responded to my initial inquiry and had wonderful followup, but most importantly, she's just a wonderful dog trainer. Our 11-month-old terrier responded so well to here, and she was great in giving us the knowledge of how our puppy thinks, which allows us to be better at understanding our dog.

Charlotte E.

Verified review

Jessica has been instrumental in helping us transition to our new life as dog owners! She is super competent/ experienced with dogs, training and dog behavior/ psychology. She is also super reliable, trustworthy and kind. I couldn’t recommend her more.

Diane M.

Verified review

When my physician recommended I take on a new addition to my life, i.e., a puppy; I selected one small enough to handle given my multiple disabilities and one who could grow into a service dog. Although my pup arrived at only five pounds, he proved to be too much for me to take care of while living alone without assistance. So I began researching dog trainers who utilize the ‘board and train’ approach. I knew my pup (Cakebear) needed concentrated training in order to assist rather than hinder me. Of course, I also wanted the training to be compassionate as well as intensive.
After interviewing twenty-four trainers, I selected the best in show and substance - Sean Ryan of City Wolves NYC. Our first communication imbued me with confidence in Sean and his abilities and he did not disappoint. Rarely today does anyone deliver the service they claim to offer but Sean is fortunately the welcome exception. During our initial meeting, Sean asked me as many questions as I did him- as we wanted to be on the same page regarding my needs and those of my dog. My puppy’s immediate response to Sean was one of attention and affection, a unique combination which makes for a happy dog and owner. After spending a significant amount of time with me and my pup, Sean evaluated our particular situation and explained fully what he determined were the most critical training points and how he would work with Cakebear. He then patiently detailed every aspect of the process.
Although my pup would be away for one month, I knew he’d be in the best of care. In addition to training, a huge plus was that my dog would be socialized with Sean’s own beloved dogs. I knew Sean would be in touch with me throughout the month but I was pleasantly surprised to receive consistent contact via videos, photos and detailed updates. This constant, detailed communication throughout the training period provided me the opportunity to share in my pup’s progress as a virtual participant. In each image, with each command, my dog’s respect for Sean was evident and mirrored the high regard I have for Sean.
My little one was returned to me transformed from a fluffy ruffian to a ‘by the book’ soldier, fresh from boot camp, albeit in a loving yet structured setting. I’m sure Cakebear wouldn’t mind reenlisting if given the option for Sean’s agility work with my dog resulted in blossoming confidence, something difficult for a five pound puppy to have, especially in a new environment with dogs larger than him. With Sean my pup grew into a muscular, helpful, emotionally supportive, task performing adult (in spirit and ability) far exceeding what I had expected- the usual commands of heel, come, sit, etc.
As I am routinely in Manhattan, it was critical to have a trainer work with my pup in a congested, city setting and City Wolves NYC was the perfect fit. While most ‘board and trains’ are located in Jersey or Long Island, City Wolves is exactly as its name states- city-bred through and through. Cakebear is now unafraid of buses, the honking of cars, screeching sirens and the stampeding of pedestrian feet around him, sights and sounds that often frighten even larger dogs. My dog is now undaunted by noise and commotion and this enables him to keep us both safe in the city.
Sean Ryan goes far beyond the celeb-trainers such as The Dog Whisperer or Victoria Stilwell. He treats dogs with a philosophy- the wolf mentality- for even though my dog is small, he is, at his core, a wolf. Sean is not just a brilliant trainer who understands the innate character of dogs, he is an intelligent, compassionate, genuine and spiritual person whose love for his work as well as canines and humans, shines through with each tail wag my dog so eagerly gives me.
Not only did my dog return trained, I too was trained in the process, for the handler/owner of a dog needs to be familiar with the commands, structure and more, all of which Sean covered with me in detail. At first meeting and upon Cakebear’s graduation, Sean spent an enormous amount of time with me and my dog, demonstrating how I should work with Cakebear to maintain the structure Sean instilled in him. Then, it was my turn. Sean patiently watched as my dog and I went through the training paces.
Soloing in front of Sean was without fear, as corrections for my dog and me were non-judgmental, kind and welcome. To aid in my remembering the command language, Sean prepared a custom booklet outlining the commands my dog now knew as well as detailed steps for me to keep up the training process. Graduation day was a proud moment for me and my dog. My expertly trained dog is respectful, happy and buoyant, much like Sean himself.
From graduation day onward, I work with my dog to enforce the training for both of us. As questions arise, Sean promptly addresses them rapidly, no matter how many or how often they occur. Sean’s dedication to each dog he trains extends past the day a dog earns his cap and gown. It is an everlasting relationship which my dog and I evolve within with Sean as our nurturing guide.
Sean Ryan possesses a unique ability to transform any canine into a loving, obedient and enjoyable companion. In my case, this is essential to my health and for those who are able-bodied; it is necessary for a successful and fun dog/owner relationship. The skill set Sean brings to the table in dealing with dogs AND humans is exceptional. Although I interviewed twenty-four trainers before choosing, my homework paid off as I made the ideal choice for Sean Ryan of City Wolves NYC is one in a million!

John J.

Verified review

We have tried many dog trainers with many different techniques over the 35 years of having dogs. None came anywhere close to the effectiveness of Rick's handling of our golden doodle. We were on the verge of giving our dog away when we first met Rick. After a reasonable number of sessions, he transformed him into a completely different and oh so delightful pet. And the neat thing about Rick's techniques, our dog showed improvement after the very first session and just continued to get better as we went through the winter. Rick truly worked magic.

Amelia W.

Verified review

Although my puppy and I had initial training at a storefront situation, I didn't feel that I had a good knowledge of how to help my cockapoo puppy to be a well-behaved and happy dog. Margaret has given us very specific tasks to obtain the right behavior. She is helping me to think like a dog so I can see how my behaviors are interpreted by my puppy. Each hour is full of hands on instruction with plenty of fun for my puppy and me.
She is very encouraging and is a delightful person. We have worked on sit, stay, down, wait, hush (for barking) and most importantly to come when called in a situation where my puppy would rather chase that bunny or squirrel. I highly recommend her as a talented and professional dog trainer.

Sammy S.

Verified review

I reached out to Josh for help because my dog would lash out at other dogs when we went for walks, hikes, etc. I was very pleased with his work! He arrived on time, earlier than expected, to really make sure I got the most out of my session. The quality of his work is very professional and you could tell he truly cares about helping you and your dog! He is very knowledgeable in numerous different behavioral issues, which was impressive. He taught me how to take control of my dog and now my dog is doing much better socially. Josh also responded to my emails in a timely mannner when I would have quick questions. I would highly recommend this service!!

Samantha C.

Verified review

We are so happy to have met Debbie! She is an absolute pleasure. She helped me and my fiancee learn how to be the best owners to our new puppy Bodie. She truly cares for each animal she works with and wants the best for both owner and dog. Being a pretty anxious person, Debbie was so patient and helpful. She never left without us fully understanding what is expected and always made sure we could do it on our own. She is a fabulous trainer and person. She even gave us great tips for healthy homemade treats for our dog. I would recommend her 1000 times over to anyone who is looking for help with their dog, new or old.

Helaina H.

Verified review

We tried two other dog trainers before we came across Chelsea, and after speaking with her on the phone I immediately knew something was different about her, in the best possible way. She talked with us about focusing on what was causing our little guy to act out in the ways he had been, what we could and couldn't reasonably expect (this one was huge, and took a bit of vital human training on our part) and took the time to start us out with a strong foundation using techniques that worked—and that we were comfortable with—to create a lasting change in our rescue dog. You can tell Chelsea loves what she does and that she positively adores dogs and their people, too. Her approach is so affective because she treats dog psychology the same way the best specialists approach human psychology: by addressing the source of the behavior that causes the symptoms, and taking each dog's personality into account. At the same time, her methods seem to work magnificently across the board. She is brilliant, her methods are affective, she is highly professional but also extremely friendly and approachable. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to treat problematic behaviors in their beloved rescue dogs, but in any dog, really—it just takes a special person to have the knowledge and patience to work with a dog who has trauma they can never communicate with words.

Danielle B.

Verified review

Laura was able to pinpoint the main issues and provided specific strategies to help break bad habits and could create a more balanced dog. Our dog is a work in progress, but he's doing much better since we are being more consistent with him.

Maua N.

Verified review

Rachel is an incredible dog walker and trainer. She has been steadily transforming my two little rescue dogs into world class acrobats and has been instrumental in making them feel safe and calm and happy.
She is an honest, caring, professional who leaves messages, sends texts AND pictures describing how my dogs are doing- the good, the bad, the ugly. I trust her completely!!

Aidyn T.

Very professional and very fast to respond and would recommend to anyone looking for an amazing dog trainer.

Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How old should a puppy be for training?

Dog training shouldn’t wait until you’re having behavior problems. If you get a new puppy, start from the beginning with professional training to give both you and your puppy the tools you need for a healthy relationship. Dog training is as much about teaching the owner how to interact with their new dog as it is about the dog learning to behave. Puppy training can start as early as eight weeks old. Trainers who offer puppy training programs may works specifically with dogs between the ages of 8 and 18 weeks old. Trainers can teach owners about potty training and how to deal with accidents, working with separation anxiety, and training your pooch out of destructive behaviors like chewing, biting and demand barking. Puppies will start to learn to walk on-leash and other basic skills.

In addition to behavior training, socializing your puppy is an important part of dog training. Socializing your dog means they become comfortable and confident in a variety of settings and have a great foundation for becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. After your puppy has had the proper vaccinations, you can start to introduce it to a variety of different dogs and people in safe settings.

Which dog training method is best?

The best type of dog training for both you and your dog depends on the outcomes you hope to achieve. If you want your dog to learn agility training, go to someone who specializes in those techniques. Regardless of whether you want your dog to learn basic behavior or competitive-level tricks, the majority of dog training is actually about training the owner how to communicate with their dog. Most professional dog trainers agree that a model of training based on positive reinforcement breeds a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog. The alternative to positive reinforcement training is using force or aggression techniques like physical punishment or shock-collar training to get the dog to do (or not do) a behavior. While the dog may learn how to behavior as you direct, it is also learning to communicate with force and aggression, and will in turn use those behaviors on other dogs (or people) that are smaller or weaker than it is. Before signing up with a dog trainer, meet with the trainer and ask for references. Watch the trainer interact with your dog, and make sure they treat your dog with patience and firm kindness. Ask them questions about their training methods:

What type of training methods do you use?

What is your background and training, and how did you become a dog trainer?

How long do you expect that we will work together before we achieve the results I’m after?

How long does it take to train a puppy?

Dog training depends on the dog and how much homework the dog owner is willing to put in. Puppy training is similar to dog training in that the onus of the work depends on the owner learning new ways to interact with their dog. For a quick crash course, you can opt for a single, two hour smart-start puppy training consultation to teach you the ins and outs of being a new dog parent. You can learn how to manage potty training and what to do if the puppy experiences separation anxiety. As long as you’re willing to work on dog training a little bit each day, your puppy will quickly learn these new behaviors. If you’re not confident about training your puppy yourself, you can enroll in a 6- to 8-week puppy training course, with weekly lessons touching on everything from bite control to obedience. Puppies usually need to be at least three months old for group training classes. If you want more intensive one-on-one work, you can opt for private lessons. Some behavior problems can be resolved in one session if the dog owner learns and can implement new skills. In the case of more serious issues, 3 to 10 private sessions can typically correct challenges.